Donate plasma

What is plasma

Blood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets suspended in a fluid called plasma. Your plasma can be used for a range of medical treatments as it contains very important proteins, nutrients and clotting factors which help to prevent or stop bleeding.

You can donate plasma whenever you like, as frequently as every 2 weeks. Find your nearest donor centre.

How to become a plasma donor

meet the eligibility requirements covered in the Donor Questionnaire (which you will fill out in the donor centre before you donate).

You may be temporarily unable to donate plasma if you:

are on certain medications or antibiotics, have a cold or are feeling unwell in any way

have certain medical conditions

have recently changed medications

have recently had surgery

have recently had a piercing

have had a tattoo in the past 4 months.

You will not be able to donate plasma if you:

have visited or lived in the UK for a cumulative total of 6 months or more between 1980 and 1996

have engaged in male to male sexual activity or other specified at-risk sexual activity in the past 12 months

have recently been pregnant or given birth

have ever had a serious heart condition

have ever had a serious blood disorder or disease

have ever injected or been injected with drugs not prescribed by a doctor or dentist.

Your ability to donate plasma depends on the suitability of your veins and your haemoglobin level (both of which will be assessed in our donor centre). Find out how to prepare for your plasma donation.

Who plasma donations help

Plasma is amazingly versatile. It’s constantly in demand to treat a growing number of life-threatening conditions and for 18 vital medical treatments: